It’s official: A’s Melvin staying put

News got around last night that manager Bob Melvin would be staying with the A’s. The A’s news release came out just now. But before we get to it, let’s note some of the positive reaction from A’s players yesterday:

Bob Melvin at Tuesday

Kurt Suzuki: “He’s what this clubhouse needs. We have young guys establishing themselves, and he’s really good communicating and teaching.”

Grant Balfour: “He’s a players’ manager. He lets you go out there and play.”

Josh Willingham: “He’s been a great influence on me in every positive way imaginable.”

Hideki Matsui: “The one thing that stands out with Bob is, he’s really a great human being.”

That’s a whole lotta love.

Here are some press release “highlights”:

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has agreed to terms with Manager Bob Melvin on a new three-year contract through the 2014 season.

Melvin, 49, was named the A’s interim manager in midseason, replacing Bob Geren on June 9. He inherited a last-place team (27-36) and has directed them to a 42-49 mark in elevating Oakland into third place. …

Melvin, a native of Palo Alto, Calif., has compiled an overall record of 535-557 in eight seasons as a Major League manager. … (He) was 337-340 with Arizona from 2005-09 in becoming the Diamondbacks’ all-time winningest manager. …

Melvin graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in Menlo Park, Calif. in 1979 and later attended and played baseball at the University of California in Berkeley. …

Melvin is the 29th manager in A’s franchise history and 18th in Oakland annals.